Flash Insert For Mobile Phone Case

ABSTRACT

A case, for an electronic device such as a mobile phone, containing an insert located near a camera, still image recorder, or video recorder and a flash of the device is disclosed. The placement, material, color, and properties of the insert helps reduce and/or eliminate problems associated with the case affecting the resultant flash/light from the camera causing and adding erroneous colors, effects, and information on the resulting pictures, images, sensors, or videos.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/657,798, filed on Jul. 24, 2017, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/890,603, filed on Sep. 25, 2010, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,720,442—the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety—which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. Nos. 61/400,361 filed on Jul. 27, 2010, and61/400,002 filed on Jul. 20, 2010, taking benefits of all teachings andearlier filing dates of these applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the current invention describes a casing (or case,sleeve, protection, jacket, folder, or container) for a mobile device(or gadget), such as a cell phone, GPS unit, MP3 player, camera, orlaptop computer. As LED, battery and phone technologies become moreadvanced, mobile phones, which have had cameras on them for some time,are now starting to incorporate flashes, as well. Two models of phonesthat utilized these flashes in 2009 were the Palm Pre and the MotorolaDroid. In 2010, Google introduced the Nexus One with a flash and Appleupdated its iPhone to the iPhone 4 to include a flash.

Cases are often used with these devices to protect them from shock andcosmetic scratching. However, a problem exists with the flash, when thedevice is used with a case. The flashes have a very wide angle of lightso that everything within the view of the camera is illuminated (FIG.1). The intensity of the light decreases from the main cone of light asthe angle increases off-the-center of the field of view, into thesecondary cone of light. This is a gradual decreasing of intensity fromthe main cone of light to the secondary cone of light and through it.

The distinction between the main and secondary cones of light can beroughly marked or distinguished using the following rule: The secondarycone (boundary) is defined as the space or area that gets altered by acase, in terms of erroneous color and image, if one is not using thecurrent invention.

When a case, skin, shield or cover is applied to the device forprotection, styling, or other user-desired purposes, this case needs tohave a cut out for the camera and its flash. Even with a substantial cutout in the case, the case often interferes with the secondary cone oflight (FIG. 2). This interference has a negative impact, if the case isconstructed in any color other than a neutral shade (i.e. constructed inany color other than a shade of gray ranging from white to black). In acase with a non-neutral color surrounding the flash, the reflected lightthat bounces off the case and reaches the subject or surrounding area isimparted with a component of the color of the case (FIG. 3, items 318and 320). For example, a pink case will yield light that has a pinkcomponent. This pink light will drench the subject, and the resultingphoto will have a pink tone.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of flash or lens for a camera unit, onanother gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondarycone of light. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of flash or lens for acamera unit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of lightand secondary cone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover, forprotection.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of flash or lens for a camera unit, onanother gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light and secondarycone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover. The light reflectingfrom a colored case imparts a component of that color upon the subject,after the flash, or has that color component imparted back on thepicture, film, sensors, or image, when the light comes into the lens,from one or more reflections, refractions, or diffractions, adding orsubtracting colors or components of spectrum (e.g. items 318 and 320 inFIG. 3). Even though the interference of the case and the light takesplace in the secondary cone of light, due to reflections, the color isimparted not only into the secondary cone of light, but also into themain cone of light, where the primary subject matter resides. Thisphenomenon also applies to the flash for a camera or image/videorecorder.

However, with this invention and its embodiments described here, we aresolving this problem and dramatically reducing this effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, we describe a method and apparatus for solving theproblem associated with the cover affecting the flash/light from a cellphone camera (for example), causing and adding erroneous colors andinformation on the resulting pictures. With this invention and itsembodiments described here, we are solving this problem and dramaticallyreducing this effect.

The invention can be applied to lens, flash, or other apertures, forcamera, video, phone, or other gadgets, for any kind of image,multimedia, or video, on any digital or analog media, for transmission,storage, recording, or any other purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section taken through the flash or lens of a cameraunit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light andsecondary cone of light.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken through the flash or lens of a cameraunit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light andsecondary cone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover, forprotection.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section taken through the flash or lens of a cameraunit, on another gadget or mobile device, with main cone of light andsecondary cone of light, having the jacket, case, or cover.

FIG. 4 shows an insert added to remove problem mentioned on FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the case and insert, showing theintegration of the part into the case.

FIGS. 6a-6d demonstrate one embodiment of the present inventionintegrated into the case of a cell phone (in this example, for an AppleiPhone 4).

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the case or sleeve around the device orgadget taken through the flash or lens of the device, with propersurfaces for controlling/reducing the light reflection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention described in FIG. 4 addresses the issue of the light coloreffects mentioned above. An insert of a neutral color is incorporatedinto a case. It is shown in a non-neutral color in this case, forreasons of visual clarity. This allows the bulk of the case to be anycolor, or reflectivity the user desires, while not imparting that colorupon the subject of the photo. (FIG. 4 shows an insert added to removeproblem mentioned on FIG. 3.)

This insert could be mechanically, thermally, chemically, inset-molded,co-molded, or otherwise integrated or attached into the surroundingcase. The insert could also be a film or coating, and be painted, dyed,silkscreened, sublimated, hydropainted, or otherwise coated onto thesurface of the case. In one of the embodiments, a neutral color insertor coating is used.

In one of the embodiments, a non-neutral color of the insert could beutilized, if the surface was absorptive in nature. In this case, thelight would be absorbed into the material, and not reflected out uponthe subject. In addition, the surface could be mirrored or reflective innature, as long as this reflective surface did not have a non-neutraltint (in another embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the case and insert, showing theintegration of the part into the case. In one embodiment, we use blackor shades of gray for the neutral colors. In one embodiment, we userough surface for better absorption of light, and no/low reflection. Inone embodiment, we use multiple layers or surfaces around the lens,light, and flash, to absorb more light, for different frequencies,wavelengths, or regions of visible spectrum of light. In one embodiment,we use sloped inward, concave, or convex surfaces, to redirect thereflection of light outside the capture area/scope of the lens.

FIGS. 6a-6d demonstrate one embodiment of the present inventionintegrated into the case of a cell phone (in this example, for an AppleiPhone 4). In different embodiments, the insert covers lens, flash, orboth, with one insert or multiple inserts, which requires one or moreopenings on the gadget or cover/case.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of the case or sleeve around the device orgadget, with proper surfaces for controlling/reducing the lightreflection. In this case, one can use neutral colors (e.g. a tone ofgray between white and black), or one can use a non-reflecting,absorptive surface. Note that the insert can be an absorbing surface, orneutral color, or non-reflecting (or low reflecting) surface, or acombination of those.

Note also that it could be a non-neutral reflecting surface as long asthe color added to the insert was very slight and the insert waspredominantly neutral in color. The insert can be integrated as part ofa case or jacket. Or, it can be another piece, added to case or jacket,as a separate piece. The case may have one or more layers (e.g. layers 1and 2 in FIG. 7). The insert may have a notch or lip(s), to attach tothe case or jacket, as shown in FIG. 7. Or, one can use glue, screw,small bar, or spring, to attach the insert to the case or casing.

The material used for case or insert or lens jacket or flash jacket canbe selected from the following list (or their combinations): plastic,elastic material, rubber, any artificial material, rigid, soft,flexible, wood, glass, mirror, smooth, rough, coarse material orsurface, metal, alloy, nylon, cotton, wool, fabric, natural material,convex, concave, flat surface, quartz, transparent, translucent, opaquematerial, crystal, lens, uniform, non-uniform surface, reflectivesurface, or absorptive surface.

Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be covered bythis patent application.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A case for a mobile device, the mobile deviceincluding a camera having a lens, the case comprising: a jacket which isseparate and removable from the mobile device, the jacket including anopening and being configured for covering a portion of an outer surfaceof the mobile device when the mobile device is arranged in the case; andan insert which is arranged in the opening, the insert comprising aninner surface defining an aperture and being attached to the jacket whenthe jacket is separate from the mobile device, wherein the insert isconfigured to surround the lens of the camera of the mobile device sothat the lens is exposed by the aperture of the insert when the mobiledevice is arranged in the case.
 22. The case for a mobile deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein a color of the inner surface of theinsert is predominantly neutral.
 23. The case for a mobile deviceaccording to claim 22, wherein the neutral color is in gray scale. 24.The case for a mobile device according to claim 22, wherein the innersurface of the insert is absorptive, in terms of a reflection of lightby the inner surface.
 25. The case for a mobile device according toclaim 21, the mobile device further including a flash unit, wherein theinner surface of the insert is absorptive, in terms of a reflection bythe inner surface of light emitted by the flash unit of the mobiledevice when the mobile device is arranged in the case.
 26. The case fora mobile device according to claim 21, wherein the inner surface of theinsert is flat.
 27. The case for a mobile device according to claim 21,wherein the inner surface of the insert is coarse or rough.
 28. The casefor a mobile device according to claim 21, wherein the insert comprisesa layer selected from the group consisting of a coating layer, a filmlayer, and a paint layer.
 29. The case for a mobile device according toclaim 21, wherein the inner surface of the insert is sloped inwardlywith respect to an axis defined by the aperture.
 30. The case for amobile device according to claim 29, wherein a portion of the case otherthan the insert is a non-neutral color.
 31. The case for a mobile deviceaccording to claim 29, the camera further including a flash unit,wherein the inner surface of the insert is sloped inwardly such thatlight is emitted by the flash unit of the mobile device outside a fieldof view of the camera of the mobile device.
 32. The case for a mobiledevice according to claim 21, the camera including a flash unit, whereinthe insert is configured to surround the flash unit.
 33. The case for amobile device according to claim 21, the camera further including aflash unit, wherein the inner surface of the insert is sloped, concave,or convex so that light emitted by the flash unit strikes the innersurface and is reflected outside a capture area of the camera lens ofthe mobile device.
 34. A case for a mobile device, the mobile deviceincluding a camera having a lens, the case comprising: a jacket which isseparate and removable from the mobile device, the jacket including anopening and being configured for covering a portion of an outer surfaceof the mobile device when the mobile device is arranged in the case; anda coating which is applied onto the jacket around the opening and isconfigured to surround the lens of the mobile device whereby the lens isexposed by the opening when the mobile device is arranged in the case.35. The case for a mobile device according to claim 34, wherein thecoating comprises a layer selected from the group consisting of acoating layer, a film layer, and a paint layer.
 36. The case for amobile device according to claim 34, wherein the coating is dyed,silkscreened, sublimated, or hydropainted onto the jacket.
 37. The casefor a mobile device according to claim 34, the camera further includinga flash unit, wherein the coating is configured for redirecting lightemitted by the flash unit of the mobile device outside a field of viewof the camera of the mobile device.
 38. The case for a mobile deviceaccording to claim 34, the camera further including a flash unit,wherein the coating is configured to surround the flash unit.